In your dreams✔

5

They don’t bring up the locker room incident the next day, it’s not awkward either… no, no, on the contrary, Jungkook seems to have dialed his usual asshole-ness up to 11 since Taehyung caught him. Over the course of the week they’ve been getting worse and worse until it all finally comes to a boiling point the day of the first game. Namjoon’s captain day.

Taehyung brings both of his hand to his nape, closing his eyes as he tries to regain his breath during the time out.

The score is tied 4-4, they’ve been playing pretty well but the other team is good... REALLY good, and with 20 minutes left in the game there’s plenty of time for them to pull ahead.

“Okay, don’t lose focus, all we have to do is score one more goal and then just hold them off for 20 more minutes.” Seokjin says, his tone urgent and sharp, he turns towards the current captain. “Namjoon, what’ve you got?”

“I think our forwards are holding up nicely so far. Mids you’re doing great, I know you’re exhausted but when the ball is on our side I need you guys need to drop back immediately so the defense isn’t overpowered.”

The boys nod in the huddle, jerseys all soaked in sweat.

“Defense, when the ball is up top you guys need to push forward so their forwards can’t just hang around the goal, force them off-sides.” He continues. “We’re doing great guys we can win this if we keep playing how we have been. I believe in you.”

The referee blows the whistle signaling the end of the time out and the boys rush back to their positions.

A player from the other team throws the ball in and starts the play. Taehyung positions himself so he can see both the goal and the player with the ball, knees slightly bent and ready to turn on a dime.

The guy passes the ball to their center mid—number 9– who is arguably their best player. He charges forward and maneuvers past Hyunjin, Seonghwa, and Hoseok with some of the best footwork Taehyung has ever seen out of a college player. He makes his way closer to the goal, only Taehyung and Jongho in his way.

He stays quick on his feet, careful not to lunge at the player haphazardly. Just when he thinks he has an opening to steal the ball, the guy elbows him directly in the ribs and spins around him to cover it up. It was a dirty move but it was so well done that anyone from the outside would have seen it as a clean play.

“Fuck.” Taehyung spits, ignoring the pain in his side and turning on his heel to chase him down.

He’s too late. It’s just him and the goalie and unfortunately the son of a bitch is an excellent shot.

He places the ball perfectly in the upper right corner, just above Namjoon’s fingertips. It was a beautiful shot, he’ll admit that, but it now put their team behind.

5 minutes left and they’re now losing 4-5.

“Taehyung what the fuck was that?!” Jungkook yells, storming down the field towards the blonde. “Why'd you let him get past you?!”

“What the fuck are you on?!” Taehyung shouts back, anger bubbling up inside him more and more with every word that comes out of the forward’s mouth. “You know damn well I tried! He elbowed me, it was a dirty play!”

“I don’t care if he spat in your eye and kneed you in the balls, you’re the best defender on this stupid team you could have easily recovered that!”

Taehyung is far too caught up in his anger to recognize the compliment.

“Well then next time why don’t you drop back and help defend instead of waiting up front on your ass for one of us to pass you the ball!”

“Excuse me?!”

“TAEHYUNG! JUNGKOOK!” Seokjin shouts, angrier than Taehyung has ever seen him. “YOU ARE ON THE SAME TEAM! GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER OR GET OFF THE FUCKING FIELD.”

The two boys never take their eyes off each other, both furiously staring the other down until Yoongi steps in between them and pulls Jungkook back up to his position with a glare before heading off the field towards Seokjin.

The whistle blows and Jeonghan passes the ball over to Jungkook who immediately takes off down the field, weaving around the players with determination.

From his position in the back of the field, Taehyung can see that three defenders are getting ready to close in on Jungkook, he can also see that Hoseok is wide open in the center with a perfect angle for a shot.

“JUNGKOOK.” He screams upfield. “PASS TO HOSEOK.”

But Jungkook just keeps pushing forward.

“HOSEOK IS OPEN PASS THE BALL!” He tries, once again in vain as Jungkook charges their defensive line way too fast and takes a premature shot that goes far over the goal.

The whistle blows and the game is over.

They lost.

Heads sunken low, the boys make their way over to a very pissed off Seokjin. Taehyung braces himself for the worst. Screamin, yelling, throwing things, who knows.

Instead the Coach just stands there looking between himself and Jungkook with his arms crossed. Taehyung opens his mouth, prepared to spew out an apology but the elder holds out a single finger, signaling him to wait. He shuts his mouth and does just that.

“Never, in all my years of playing or recently coaching, have I ever seen behavior like that exhibited between two teammates.” He starts, his voice eerily low. “I don’t know what is going on between you two, but until you fix it, you’re benched.” Taehyung’s eyes widen.

“What?!” Jungkook takes the words right from Taehyung’s mouth. “You can’t do that, that’s not fair!”

“No, Jungkook.” Seokjin retorts. “What’s not fair is your teammates having to suffer because you let your personal issues in the way of a smart play. Hoseok was open like Taehyung kept telling you, but you and your massive ego refused to listen to him and it cost us the game.”

“I was trying to-” Taehyung jumps in but he gets cut off.

“You’re no better.” Seokjin’s head snaps towards him and Taehyung shrinks under his intense gaze. “You were unnecessarily aggressive towards him before the play. This is on both of you. You have one week to sort your shit out or neither of you are playing in the next game, and then you'll both be able to kiss your shots at captain goodbye.”

The team remains silent, no one quite sure what to say. Taehyung focuses his eyes on the ground, unable to make eye contact with anyone at the moment. He gives a small nod to indicate his compliance.

“Alright, get out of here, all of you. I’ll see you monday for practice with your best attitudes.”

Everyone nods and goes their separate ways, Hoseok placing a comforting hand on Taehyung’s shoulder––a silent promise for a good meal and lots of cuddles when they get home...both of which he sorely needs, along with a shower, a long ass nap, and a pretty serious conversation with Jeon Jungkook.

But that one can wait until tomorrow.